Nowitzki Passes 30,000 Point Mark To Join Elite Club

(Reuters) Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki joined an elite club by surpassing the 30,000 point mark in Tuesday's match against the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to reach the milestone.

The German sharpshooter earned his 30,000th point on a step back jumper early in the second quarter, then went past the mark on a three-pointer that sent the Dallas American Airlines Center crowd into a frenzy with 9:54 left in the first half.

"Sort of surreal, 30,000 is amazing," Nowitzki told reporters. "It's a lot of points, obviously. Every milestone makes you reflect a little bit.

"It makes you reflect on the people that have helped you and been with you all of this way."

Nowitzki had entered the night 20 points shy of the feat and exploded early to treat the fans who had cheered him during a video tribute.